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Turn over a new leaf in Galloway Forest Park

The start of a new year is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf. And what better place to embrace the great outdoors, than Galloway Forest Park? It’s the largest Forest Park in Britain, with over 300 square miles (800 km²) of outstanding natural beauty, and there’s a huge range of activities to keep even the most energetic visitor busy.

Wildlife and the Wild Watch Hide at Kirroughtree

There’s also a red deer range which is home to around 40 deer. You can enjoy spotting the deer and other wildlife from the shelter of the hide. Around 50 wild goats also live in the park.

Family fun

Kirroughtree has a children’s play area and trails suitable for pushchairs and little legs. For a family challenge, check out the orienteering trail where you can have fun with a map and compass to navigate your way round the trail.

Superb walking trails

Walking is the perfect way to explore the forests. We have an amazing selection of trails ranging from gentle strolls to serious mountain adventures, all helping you sample the best of the Forest Park at any time of year.

There’s loads to see along the trails including the historic Bruce's Stone, where you can imagine past battles while soaking up stunning panoramic views over Loch Trool.

There’s history in these hills as well, including ancient burial cairns hidden among the trees, the ruins of old settlements and even leadmines. Venture in to the woods at Gatehouse of Fleet and see how some of the history is being cared for and enjoy the walks while you’re at it.

Magnificent 7stanes mountain biking trails

Galloway is home to world-class mountain biking, that’s suitable for all ages and abilities. Kirroughtree and Glentrool are two of the seven internationally renowned 7stanes mountain biking trail centres that span the south of Scotland.

Kirroughtree has some of the best singletrack in the country - with a skills area, a friendly bike shop with bike hire and a great café for sharing your post-ride tales over tea and cake. Glentrool offers a wide range of riding, including the unique Big Country Ride, an epic 58km day out in the hills. The cafe is open at weekends throughout the winter.

Dark skies

Galloway Forest Park is one of the darkest places in Scotland, which is why it’s the UK’s first official Dark Sky Park.

Over 7,000 stars and planets are visible with the naked eye from the Forest Park, and the bright band of the Milky Way is usually easy to see arching across the sky. There are Dark Sky information points at the visitor centres to help you identify the constellations and planets you can see. Be sure to check out the panoramic viewing points across the Forest Park too – here you can sit back and enjoy one of the natural wonders for free.

Fully accessible visitor centres

Start or finish your forest experience at one of the three up-dated visitor centres. £4.5million has been invested to create a new complex at Kirroughtree, a totally modernised centre at Clatteringshaws and an upgraded centre at Glentrool.

For walkers or mountain bikers, there are new showers, changing rooms and a bike wash. There’s also an under-floor heating system which is powered by underground piping. There’s also a state of the art ‘Changing Places’ facility - meaning toilets are fully accessible.